Chapter 16 - Unlocking the PastWithin minutes, we were gathered in the dim, wood-paneled library. Daniel pulled open the heavy green volumes on the lower shelf, pressing a hidden spring release mechanism embedded in the mahogany trim. With a soft click, a concealed wall panel slid open, revealing a heavy steel lockbox resting on a velvet-lined shelf.
Daniel dialed the combination—a sequence representing the exact date we had finally broken free from Patricia's estate—and swung the heavy metal door outward.
Inside lay stacks of physical ledgers, encrypted flash drives, and notarized affidavits dating back decades, detailing every legitimate transaction, every corporate maneuver, and every forced acquisition Patricia had tried to bury.
"Here it is," Daniel murmured, pulling out a thick manila folder labeled Project Horizon. "The complete paper trail of every asset Patricia tried to siphon through state-backed shell companies. If we hand this to the federal oversight committee before the state audit committee convenes tomorrow morning, Genevieve's entire maneuver collapses under its own weight."
"And if she tries to block the filing?" Claire asked, peering over his shoulder.
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"She won't have time," I said, stepping forward with quiet determination. "Because I'm going with you to the state commission office, Daniel. We aren't just going to defend our accounts—we're going to put an end to Genevieve's interference once and for all."
The clock was ticking. Outside the tall windows, storm clouds began to gather over the Ashport hills, rolling in from the coast like a dark, inevitable tide. But this time, we weren't running from the storm. We were walking right into the center of it.
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